r 


A 


SERMON 


PKK ACHED  AT  THE  FUNERAL  OF 


LIEUT.    E  B  E  R   G  .  P  R  A  T  1^ . 


CONaRE&ATIONAL'  CHUECH..  SOIJTHBRJDGE, 


REV.    M .    L .  RICHARDSON, 

PASIOU  OF  THE  CHURCH  IN  GLOBE  VILLAGE. 


P»R,IlSfTED    BY  REQUEST. 


SOUTHBRIDGE  : 
JOURNAL  OFFICE,  PRINTED  BY  H.  C.  GRAY. 
1865. 


IN  THE 


BY 


S  E  11  M  0  N 


PREACHED  AT  THE  FUNERAL  OF 


LIEUT.   EBER   C.  PRATT, 


IX  THE 


CONGREGATIONAL  CHUECIL  SOUTHBRIDGE, 


J33ECEM:I5EI^   3  5  tlx,  18G4L,' 


BY 


KEV.   ]M.  L.RICHARDSON, 

^  * 

PASTOR  OF  THE  CHURCH  IN  GLOBE  VILLAGE. 


I'lilNTED    BY  REQUEST. 


SOUTHBEIDaE  : 
JOURNAL  OrnCE,  PRINTED  BY  H.  C.  GRAY. 
1865. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/sermonpreachedat01rich 


SERMON 


♦*HOW  ARE  THE  MIGHTY  FALLEN  IN   THE   MIDST   OF    THE    BATTLE?  O, 

Jonathan,  thou  wast  slain  in  thine  high  places.'— II  Samuel,  i.  25. 

It  is  little  that  words  can  do  to  add  worth  to  character.  Their  office 
is  to  portray  it.  If,  in  their  reach  and  fitness,  the}^  fall  below  the 
reality  and  weight  of  the  character  described,  it  can  be  forgiven  with 
far  less  effort  than  when  the}'  intemperately  exaggerate.  While  a  man 
lives,  his  life  continually  utters  what  he  is.  He  needs  none  to  praise 
or  dispraise  him,  for  neither  can  tear  down  the  unyielding  fabric  of 
fact.  When  he  is  dead,  and  his  lips  sealed  and  speechless,  the  whole 
bulk  and.  sum  of  his  character  are  known  by  those  interested  in  him, 
and  any  memorial  of  it  is  what  an  affectionate  respect  delights  to 
indorse.  Eelative,  friend,  associate  and  fellow  countryman,  asks  no 
panegyric  but  that  which  their  own  hearts  readily  respond  to.  And 
they  do  not  desire  it  for  the  purpose  of  creating  excellencies,  but  for 
the  grateful  mention  of  them.  While  life  lasts,  actions  speak,  and  if 
they  are  noble,  we  love  to  hear  of  them  when  their  author  is  gone. 
And  there  are  some  whose  work  and  sacrifice  on  earth  are  so  generous 
and  far  reaching,  chat  we  are  all  bound  to  them  b}^  ties  of  admiration 
and  love.  Thej^  are  so  unselfish,  so  devoted  to  the  welfare  of  all,  that 
a  common  interest  centers  in  them.  The  departure  of  such  an  one,  in 
the  spring  time  of  his  manhood,  calls  us  together  to-day.  W^ould  that 
the  spirit  of  the  occasion  and  the  sacredness  of  the  hour  might  fill  us 
with  such  thoughts  and  feelings  as  shall  give  us  all  a  hallowed  impulse 
for  high  and  noble  duty  while  we  live.  May  nothing  break  the  whole- 
some solemnity  which  ever  should  linger  in  our  hearts  when  we  stand 


4 


in  the  presence  of  death.  The  words  chosen  as  the  basis  of  1113^  remarks 
at  this  time  are  expressive  of  a  deep  and  tender  affection.  Their  tone 
gives  ns  the  idea  that  high  and  noble  character  had  been  cut  down. 
They  are  at  once  broad  in  tlieir  intimation  of  the  worth  that  had  van- 
ished from  earth,  and  affecting  in  their  embodiment  of  profound  grief. 
What  an  opulence  of  endearing  emotion,  what  a  full  utterance  of 
bereavement,  is  found  in  the  simple  expression,  "  Oh,  Jonathan  !" — as 
if  the  thought  of  his  departure  rasped  the  spirit  with  anguish.  Yfhat 
an  estimate  of  the  qualities  that  had  blessed  and  rejoiced  the  mourner, 
through  an  intiinacy  strong  in  its  ties,  delicate  in  its  refinement  and 
pure  in  its  nature.  Such  a  friendship,  in  a  world  where  feeling  can  be 
pretense,  and  love  be  chilled  by  the  frosts  of  deceit,  is  so  choice  and 
celestial,  that  we  would  not  repress  the  sorrow  that  celebrates  it,  and 
is  the  measure  of  its  value.  There  can  be  but  little  true  respect  and 
love,  but  little  genuine  grief- — grief  in  its  highest,  holiest  quality — 
without  goodness  of  character.  Therefore  the  sacredest  friendships  on 
earth  suggest  and  image  forth  something  of  the  harmony  of  heaven. 
AYhen  David  heard  of  his  loss,  he  wept  and  lamented,  mingling  his 
sorrow  with  the  remembrance  of  his  friend's  excellencies  and  loveliness 
of  character.  He  characterizes  him  as  the  mighty,  the  beauty  of 
Israel.  War,  with  its  grim  greed,  had  ravaged  his  spirit,  and  sent  an 
arrow  of  agony  through  his  sensibilities.  The  same  fell  depredator  has 
come  into  these  bereaved  hearts  and  asserted  its  remorseless  demands. 
Other  hearts  in  this  and  other  communities  have  felt  the  harshness  of 
its  t^^rann}^,  and  are  bleeding  under  its  blov^  s.  It  is  mournful  to  see 
how  furiousl}^  he  sends  his  deadly  missiles  among  our  young  men, 
blasting  the  hope  and  promise  of  future  usefulness  and  pov^^er.  A  new 
victim  has  been  m.arked,  by  a  grievous  wound,  and  finall}^  summoned  to 
fall  before  the  destroyer.  The  community  have  been  for  weeks  in 
sj^mpathetic  suspense,  hoping  it  might  be  the  will  of  Him  who  never' 
errs,  to  thwart  the  energies  of  exhaustion  and  save  the  precious  life. 
His  wisdom  has  otherwise  determined,  and  we  are  gathered  to  pay  our 
sincere  and  heartfelt  respect  to  the  friend,  the  patriot,  the  hero  and  the 
Christian  brother,  and  to  mingle  our  unaffected  commiseration  with  the 
iinguish  that  stings  these  afflicted  relatives.  They  mourn— not  without 
hope,  not  without  a  just  and  sorrowful  satisfaction  that  nature  unites 
them  to  such  worth — the  removal  of  an  affectionate  husband,  a  dutiful 
son  and  beloved  brother.  We,  with  them,  mourn  the  loss  of  a  patriot, 
whose  deeds  and  character  we  gratefully  cherish  and  would  earnestly 
emulate.    We  nsk  these  bereaved  friends  of  the  deceased  to  allow  us, 


5 


neighbors,  acquaintances  and  those  bound  to  him  by  the  ties  of  Chris- 
tian brotherhood,  to  unite  our  regard  and  affection  with  their  grief,  as 
those  who  reap  the  benefit  of  his  costl}^  sacrifice. 

And  we  exchiim,  in  the  words  of  the  text,  "  IIow^  are  the  mighty 
fallen  in  the  midst  of  the  battle  !"  How  man}^  devoted  Christian  men, 
whose  holy  and  molding  influence  upon  our  fntnre  histor}^,  had  they 
lived,  can  not  be  calculated,  have  fallen,  to  disinthrall  our  nation  from, 
the  clutch  of  slavery,  anarchy  and  despotism.  Some  sleep  in  the  quiet 
of  their  native  North,  where  the  tear  of  affection  can  moisten  their 
honored  graves.  Some  sleep  in  soil  not  only  cursed  with  slavery,  but 
rendered  infamous  by  being  the  birthplace  and  home  of  the  assassins 
of  human  rights  and  enemies  of  the  truest  rule.  Wherever  they  lie, 
they  are  offerings  upon  the  altar  of  human  progress  and  sacred  libert}^, 
which  we  rejoice  the  nation  had  moral  elevation  and  nobleness  enough 
to  make,  while  we  and  generations  to  come  nnist  mourn  their  loss  and 
revere  their  memory.  The  respect  and  feeling  that  are  manifested  for 
our  countr3^'s  defenders  and  heroes  are  the  index  and  measure  of  our 
love  and  devotion  to  its  destiny  and  success.  If  our  hearts  do  not 
pulsate  with  patriotic  anxiety  for  our  nation's  supremacy,  unity  and 
triumph — especiall}-^  for  its  purification  and  deliverance  from  the  rot  of 
consuming  iniquity — we  shall  have  but  little  feeling  for  those  vdio  die 
bearing  the  banners  of  freedom  against  its  foes.  We  honor  our  liber- 
ties, we  honor  ourselves,  when  we  honor  those  who  fall  in  the  struggle 
of  the  nation  for  perpetuity  and  the  power  to  bless  the  world.  We 
must  remember  their  sufferings,  sacrifices,  their  noble  daring  and  heroic 
constancy.  Time's  patient  industry  must  be  made  to  find  that  these 
impressions  are  indelible  upon  our  hearts.  The  virtues,  devotion  to 
right,  unshaken  love  of  country,  honor  and  personal  goodness  of  those 
who,  under  God,  are  the  purchase  of  our  deliverance,  must  remain  a 
miglity  power  and  inspiration,  that  shall  be  a  bulwark  for  our  defense^ 
down  through  the  distant  future.  What  sentiments,  feelings  and 
memories  do  the  granite  shafts  in  our  own  State,  reared  in  honor  of 
brave  men  of  the  Revolution,  utter  forth  !  How  our  devotion  to  civil 
and  religious  liberty  is  kindled  and  inspired,  when  w^e  think  of  or  stand 
beside  these  sacred  memorials  !  What  bondage,  ignominy  and  suffer- 
ing do  they  tell  us  w^e  have  been  delivered  from ! — what  blessings, 
immunities,  actual  and  possible  elevation,  they  have  introduced  us  to  I 
If  w^e  do  not  keep  fresh  in  our  memor}^  those  who  have  died  in  tliis 
conflict,  if  we  do  not  gratefully  recognize  their  worth  of  character,  we 
shall  not  trnusmit  to  those  who  come  after  us  a  truthful  knowledge  of 


G 


tlie  cost  and  value  of  our  institutions.  Eutliless  insurgents  may  again 
.rise  and  attempt  to  trample  our  dearest  rights  in  the  dust,  if  they  see 
all  reverent  respect  for  the  men  and  deeds  which  were  the  terror  of 
tyrants  obliterated  from  the  people.  It  is  a  fact  that  must  not  be 
forgotten,  that  patriotism  does  not  hallow  and  ennoble  vicious  and 
unmanly  qualities  in  those  who  may  die  in  the  cause  of  right.  They 
merit  and  receive  the  sincere  gratitude  of  every  lover  of  our  country. 
Their  sacrifice  of  life  is  the  highest  gift  they  could  offer  for  the  dignity  of 
the  nation.  Their  prowess  and  fidelit}^  are  just  as  carefully  estimated 
as  that  of  the  best  men.  But  their  loss  is  of  a  numerical  and  material 
nature  rather  than  a  moral.  The  richest  legacy  they  possessed — their 
life — was  a  better  contribution  to  the  conflicts  of  war  than  it  would  be 
for  molding  and  blessing  society,  when  the  strife  is  passed.  Vf hen  v/e 
contemplate  the  degeneracy  and  corruption  which  war  inevitably 
generates,  and  think  of  the  wave  of  possible  evil  that  may  fiovf  back 
from  camps  and  battle-field  experiences,  vfe  sometimes  tremble  for  the 
safety  of  the  success  which  God's  providence  seems  now  to  foretoken. 
It  will  be  sad  if,  in  winning  a  final  victor}^,  after  a  long,  bloody  and 
variable  struggle,  we  find  ourselves  in  possession  of  weapons  fitted  for 
our  own  personal  overthrovf.  Hence  v/e  can  not  but  be  anxious  to  see 
returning  to  the  bosom  of  society,  from  the  field  of  conflict,  energetic, 
unaffected  piety,  chastened,  solidified  and  deepened  by  the  heiy  ordeal 
it  has  passed  through.  A  young  Christian  man,  vath  God-like  purpo- 
ses, pure  motives  and  impulses,  broad  views,  a  generous  and  self-de- 
nying devotion  to  the  right,  is  and  will  be  a  pillar  in  the  structure  of 
our  national  prosperity  and  usefulness.  While  they  are  first  to  spring- 
to  our  nation's  defense,  they  are  the  ones  we  sutler  most  in  sparing. 
The  Bible  is  the  best  compendium  of  political  principles,  which  must 
eventually  obtain  in  the  world,  and  active,  sincere  men,  haidng  its 
truths  thrilling  their  hearts,  are  the  men  we  need  most  to  fight  our 
moral  wars.  This  is  a  point  v»^hich  should  sink  deeply  into  our  hearts, 
that  the  gospel  of  Christ,  in  its  purity,  comprehensiveness  and  power, 
is  the  hope  of  our  future.  Its  spirit  of  freedom,  its  searching  demands, 
which  will  not  accept  form  for  substance,  these  must  permeate  and 
inspire  the  nation.  Says  one:  "Nothing  but  personal  convictions, 
earnestly  acquired  by  the  sweat  of  our  brow,  can  destroy  selfishness  in 
us.  The  United  States  have  in  their  heart  strong  convictions,  which  are 
also  common  convictions.  We  have  seen  that  all  earnest  appeal  to 
Christian  truth  agitates  the  country  from  one  end  to  the  other.  To 
place  one's  self  under  the  al)solute  authority  of  God  and  His  vrord, 


V 


is  to  acquire,  in  the  face  of  mere  parties,  majorities  and  general 
opinions,  an  independence  that  nothing  can  suppl}'.  The  independ- 
ence within  is  always  translated  without.  There  exist,  thank  God, 
between  liberty  and  the  gospel,  close,  eternal  and  indestructible 
relations.  I  know  of  one  species  of  freedom  which  contains  the 
germ  of  all  the  rest — freedom  of  soul.  Now  what  is  it,  if  not  the 
gospel,  that  has  introduced  this  freedom  into  the  world."  And  it  is 
the  gospel  in  the  life,  in  the  actions,  in  the  very  being,  swajdng, 
controlling,  beautifying  its  possessor,  and  blessing  ever}^  one,  that  is 
the  bulwark  of  freedom.  It  is  not  the  gospel  imprisoned  between  the 
dust}^  covers  of  the  neglected  bible,  which  has  an  influence,  but  it  is 
the  bible,  warming,  animating  and  fortif3dng  the  lining  soul,  that 
confronts  sin  and  wounds  its  energies.  God  in  his  merc}^  has  pre- 
served the  precious  truth  througli  the  dust  and  blindness  of  the  dark 
ages  ;  but  it  took  on  its  mighty  power  indeed  when  conveyed  by  the 
spirit  it  took  possession  of  the  reformers  of  the  sixteenth  century. 
Since  then  the  principles  of  true  progress  and  of  the  best  government 
have  risen  to  povfer,  as  from  the  tomb.  Terrible  has  been  the  strife 
with  the  inveterate  forces  of  absolutism  and  sin.  Manfulty  have 
martyrs  upon  the  gallows,  at  the  stake,  in  the  dungeon  and  upon  the 
rack,  braved  the  ravenous  hatred  that  true  religion  provoked.  Upon 
fields  of  carnage,  too,  has  the  conflict  raged,  and  many  noble  men  have 
fallen.  The  same  old  question,  in  a  different  form,  is  given  to  our  age 
and  nation  to  decide.  And  it  causes  the  choicest  blood  of  our  sons 
and  brothers  to  flow  like  water.  One  and  another,  and  another,  and 
another,  and  to-day  we  are  summoned  to  lay  another  in  his  final 
resting  place. 

Eber  Carpenter  Pratt  was  born  in  Southbridge,  Mass.,  January 
18th,  1840.  He  exhibited  the  usual  characteristics  of  children,  having, 
however,  contrary  to  some,  a  gentle,  amiable  temper.  The  following  is 
illustrative  of  the  cast  of  his  mind.  At  five  years  of  age,  being  sick  with 
a  fever,  he  one  day  seemed  grave  and  thoughtful.  On  being  asked 
what  he  was  thinking  about,  he  replied,  in quiringi}^  "What  if  I  should 
die — God  would  not  send  me  among  the  bad  people,  would  he?" 
At  nine  he  was  the  subject  of  quite  deep  religious  impressions. 
At  sixteen  he  became  a  Christian,  and  united  with  the  church  in  Globe 
Village,  where  he  was  a  member  beloved  and  honored.  He  enlisted 
in  his  country's  service  July  11th,  1862,  and  was  a  member  of 
Company  H,  34th  Eegiment  Massachusetts  Volunteers.  Having 
served  Avith  the  Regiment  a  year,  his  irreproachable  character,  collected 


8 


intrepidity  and  soldierly  qualities,  caused  him  to  be  promoted  to  a, 
Lieutenanc}^  in  the  6th  United  States  Colored  Troops.  He  was  stationed 
at  Fortress  Monroe  and  Yorktown,  and  held  the  position  of  Provost 
Marshal  of  the  latter  place  for  several  months.  When  in  camp  near 
Yorktown,  he  writes  that  General  Butler  kept  the  colored  brigade  in 
vigorous  service,  "first  at  New  Kent  Court  House,  then  at  Portsmouth, 
then  in  King  Williams  County,  then  at  Matthew's  Court  House,  Mid- 
dlesex County,  across  the  Rappahannock  in  Lancaster  County,  and 
then  back  to  Yorktown."  While  on  an  expedition  whose  object  was 
the  capture  of  bushwhackers  and  rebel  soldiers  home  on  furlough,  his 
manty  courtesy  and  attractive  qualities  drew  from  a  courtly  young  lad}^, 
sparkling  with  fierce  Southern  spirit,  the  following  wish:  "  That  if 
ever  he  should  be  taken  prisoner,  he  might  be  treated  with  the  same 
kindness  he  had  shown  to  her  family."  After  this  he  was  placed  upon 
the  staff  of  Gen.  Carr,  at  Bermiida  Hundred,  then  in  front  of  Pe- 
tersburg.   But  his  ardent  and  valuable  life  was  nearing  its  close. 

On  the  morning  of  the  29tli  of  September — being  then  upon  the 
staff  of  Col.  Duncan — his  brigade  Tras  ordered  to  march  to  make  an 
assault  upon  the  enemy  at  Chapin's  Bluff,  or  Farm,  a  place  three  miles 
from  the  James  river,  on  the  road  from  Aiken's  landing  to  Richmond. 
He  marched  from  four  o'clock  until  past  five,  when  they  came  upon  the 
enemy.  At  a  quarter  before  six — the  skirmish  line  being  just  before 
him,  and  the  mainline  just  to  the  rear — he  was  struck  by  a  minieball, 
which  shattered  the  bone  of  the  right  leg  above  the  knee.  He  was 
instantly  conscious  that  it  was  a  serious  wound.  He  gathered  up  his 
spirits  to  their  intensest  endeavors,  and  attempted  to  remain  in  the 
saddle  and  ride  from  the  field.  But  the  rapid  exhaustion  would 
not  permit  him.  He  now  tried  to  lower  himself  to  the  ground,  and 
fell  in  the  attempt.  Colonel  Duncan  ordered  aid  to  him.  Several 
flew  to  his  assistance.  He,  with  his  characteristic  and  heroic 
self-forgetfulness,  told  them  to  go  on,  and  leave  him.  Two  men 
stayed  by  with  him,  one  of  whom  was  captured  by  the  rebels 
before  the  other,  who  had  carried  his  sword  and  revolver  to  the  rear, 
could  return  with  a  stretcher  to  convey  him  thither  also.  Soon,  the 
federals  falling  back,  he  found  himself  in  the  hands  of  the  rebels. 
They  spoke  kindly  to  him,  saying  that  his  wound  was  too  severe  to 
make  it  an  object  to  secure  him  as  a  prisoner.  They,  however,  robbed 
him  of  his  watch,  hat,  cap,  haversack,  w^oolen  and  rubber  overcoats. 
He  lay  upon  the  ground  a  part  or  all  of  the  time  for  two  hours,  in  the 
terrible  track  of  battle,  where  the  deadly  sleet  incessantly  showered 


around  him.  In  this  fiery  ordeal,  he  quietly  picked  the  spires  of  grass 
that  grew  near,  one  of  which  a  bullet  rudely  snatched  from  his  fingers. 
At  the  end  of  two  hours,  the  fortunes  of  the  contest  were  with  our 
army  again,  and  he  was  cheered  by  the  sight  of  his  comrades  and  men 
sweeping  past  him,  with  the  enemy  in  the  disadvantage.  This  filled 
him  with  fervent  enthusiasm,  not  merely  because  he  should  be  among 
Mends  again — ive  will  rejoice  that  he  was,  if  he  did  not — but  because 
the  cause  he  loved  was  in  the  ascendanc}^  He  was  soon  after  conveyed 
away  to  the  rear.  His  limb  was  amputated  about  eight  hours  after 
being  wounded,  in  a  little  tent,  near  the  river  at  Deep  Bottom.  A 
Major,  who  had  some  acquaintance  with  him,  said  subsequently,  that  he 
was  the  coolest,  patientest,  calmest  man,  in  such  testing  circumstances, 
he  ever  saw.  When  asked  by  one — with  a  look  and  tone  expressive  of 
the  calamity,  pain,  danger  and  loss — if  he  was  going  to  have  his  leg 
taken  off"?  he  calmly  answered  yes,  as  if  harrowed  with  no  apprehen- 
sions and  daunted  with  no  prospects  of  sufiering.  In  a  letter  to  his 
friends,  Oct.  3d,  he  says  :  "  I  do  not  suffer  much  ;  I  could  suffer  more 
and  bear  it" — evidently  having  a  full  comprehension  of  the  fact  that  a 
soldier  enlists  to  suffer  as  well  as  fight.  A  deadly  disease,  which  ope- 
rated to  distribute  the  purulent  poison  arising  from  his  wound  through 
his  system,  broke  his  strength  and  hopes  of  life,  and  he  died  on  the  15th 
pf  this  month,  just  eleven  weeks  and  seven  hours  after  being  struck  b}'- 
the  murderous  missile.  On  Monday,  three  dsiys  before  his  death,  he 
received  a  commisson,  appointing  him  to  a  First  Lieutenancy,  as  a 
special  mark  of  honor,  signed  by  Gen.  Butler.  It  stated  that  he 
received  this  consideration  for  the  meritorious  qualities  of  lo3^alt3-, 
courage,  prudence  and  ability."  Deferring  now,  for  a  few  moments, 
some  account  of  his  last  hours,  let  me  speak  of  the  sentiments,  feel- 
ings, principles  and  characteristics  which  premised  and  promised  so 
much  in  futiu-e  life.  I  have  not  ascertained  specifically  his  success  as 
a  scholar  in  the  school.  But  it  is  manifest,  from  the  briskness,  bril- 
liancy and  sweep  of  his  mind,  that  it  could  not  be  satisfied  with  any- 
thing less  than  an  accurate  scholarship.  His  writing  indicates  that  his 
powers  were  of  that  class  which  grasp  at  learning  firmly,  and  so  digest 
it,  that  it  becomes  assimilated  to  the  very  muscle  and  nerve  of  the 
brain.  It  so  thoroughly  masters  what  it  attempts,  that  wisdoM  is 
poured  upon  it  in  return,  as  if  from  heaven.  His  mind  was  remarkably 
versatile  and  active,  as  his  correspondence  shows.  It  was  well  bal- 
anced, being  permeated  by  the  solid  and  everlasting  principles  of  right. 
Though  an  undisguised  detestcr  of  slavery  and  despotism,  he  did  not 

2 


id 


iindeiTate  the  difficulties  connected  ^vith  tlie  awful  scourge.  Eagle- 
eyed  to  see  the  dark  deformity  of  the  atrocious  evil,  he  did  not  fondly 
expect  its  downfall  without  some  severe  sacrifices  and  shakings.  This 
is  one  of  the  highest  and  best  kinds  of  mind.  To  be  able  to  see  the 
Satanic  subtlety  of  wrong,  to  see  also  its  decent  and  often  attractive 
exterior,  and  yet  to  be  so  calm  as  never  to  lose  one's  temper  and  equa- 
nimity, never  to  rage  and  paralyze  one's  efforts  by  impatience  and  an 
ineffective  disgust.  Of  this  class  of  intellect  and  heart,  we  have  a 
prominent  illustration  in  that  great  man  who  has  just  swept  through  the 
Eden  of  the  confederacy  with  his  invincible  and  victorious  battalions- 
It  is  just  the  type  of  man  and  principle  we  most  need  to  defend  and 
dignify  our  nation.  Therefore  we  the  more  keenly  feel  our  loss  to-day. 
A  noble  soul  has  gone  to  his  rest,  to  be  active,  earnest,  useful  and  effi- 
cient no  more  on  earth.  The  following  paragraph  from  one  of  his 
articles,  written  three  years  ago  this  present  month,  will  show  his  faith 
in  the  ability  under  God  of  the  peopk  to  crush  this  rebellion  :  "So 
earnest  is  the  determination  among  the  people  at  large  to  compass 
these  ends,  and  so  strong  is  their  faith  in  their  own  will  and  power, 
that  they  have  entered  upon  the  struggle  with  the  zeal  and  confidence 
which  the  strong  man  feels  when  about  to  cope  with  his  inferior  antag- 
onist ;  and  the  strength  of  purpose  b}^  which  the  people  are  moved  has 
the  force  of  religious  conviction,  the  enthusiasm  of  most  ardent  patri- 
otism, the  energy  of  a  righteous  anger,  the  consciousness  of  an  indom- 
itable courage,  and  the  certainty  of  an  overw^helming  power  to  carry  it 
out."  Again,  further  on,  in  the  same  piece  :  "  The  boom  of  the  rebel 
cannon  which  smote  the  air  w^hen  Sumter  w^as  attacked  was  the  knell  of 
slavery,  rung  by  the  blood-stained  hands  of  its  infuriated  votaries. 
The  last  act  of  the  drama  will  be  the  burial  of  the  last  relic  of  barba- 
rism by  the  constitutional  power  of  the  Union  it  has  insulted  and  sought 
to  overthroAv" — a  prophecy  we  are  likely  to  see  fulfilled. 

And  do  I  need  to  speak  of  his  patriotism  ?  Let  these  coffined  remains, 
w'ound  in  the  affectionate  folds  of  that  noble  flag  he  died  to  defend,  in  their 
silent  eloquence  describe  the  tj\:>e  of  his  devotion  to  his  country's  honor. 
Kemains  of  our  brother,  did  I  say  ?  Yes,  truly  the  remains — for  not 
the  W' hole  of  his  manly  form  lies  before  us  ;  a  part  had  sought  its  grave 
before  the  summons  of  death  came  to  him,  and  lies  in  an  unknown 
resting  place.  A  strange  confusion  of  feeling  came  over  me,  as  I  stood 
beside  his  entirely  open  coffin.  My  ejes  rested  upon  the  emaciated 
cheek,  the  closed  eye,  the  prominent  brow  and  forehead.    I  saw  the 


11 


folded  hands,  and  the  apparel  that  should — but  did  not — enclose  both 
of  the  lower  extremites.  Only  one  foot  projected  from  the  covering. 
I  had  heard  of  the  eloquence  of  the  vacant  sleeve  of  a  living  man, 
who  had  lost  an  arm  in  battle  ;  but,  thought  I,  what  is  the  subdued 
and  sorrowful  eloquence  of  a  dead  hero's  partly  vacant  garment  for  the 
graA^e  !  But  I  v?  ill  let  his  living  lips  speak  his  sentiments  of  love  and 
interest  for  his  countrj-'s  success  and  elevation.  "When  before  Peters- 
burg, he  writes  :  "I  could  not  consent  to  go  home  and  live,  while  my 
comrades  are  here.  I  want  to  see  this  war  ended,  and  I  want  to  be  in 
the  army  until  it  is  ended."  Again,  when  at  Bermuda  Hundred,  he 
says  :  "I  want  to  see  my  country  righted,  sustained  ;  and  I  am  here 
to  help  her.  God  grant  that  no  i:)olitical  factions  s^all  cause  her  ruin. 
O,  if  the  United  States  should  lose  their  power,  what  should  I  do  ?  All 
that  is  or  was  great,  glorious  or  true,  would  be  cast  into  oblivion.  I 
cannot  see  my  country  destroyed.  I  despise  and  hate,  from  the  bottom 
of  my  heart,  those  men  who  stand  on  the  platform  of  peace,  when 
there  mn  he  no  peace.  I  am  for  a  wholesale  prosecution  of  this  war 
until  the  rebellion  is  quelled."  August  28th,  last,  he  writes:  '^If 
my  countr}^  should  finally  fail  into  possession  of  the  South  and  such 
traitors  as  are  now  conspiring  in  the  event,  I  could  not  wish  to  live." 
At  the  time  of  the  election,  at  five  o'clock  one  evening,  he  inquired  the 
result  of  the  btiliot.  The  news  had  not  then  reached  the  place.  He 
slept,  and  waking  again  at  twelve,  he  inquired  if  the  news  had  come. 
When  told  that  all  l)ut  two  or  three  of  the  Northern  States  had  voted 
for  Union  and  the  demolition  of  the  revolt,  he  exclaimed,  with  hearty 
unction  :  That  is  good  1  I  can  lie  here  six  months  with  pleasure, 
now !" 

These  words,  and  the  sacrifices  he  has  made  for  his  country's  per- 
petuit}'  and  our  good,  show  how  indissolubh*  was  a  sacred  patriotism 
incorporated  into  the  verv  texture  and  substance  of  his  being.  They 
speak  to  us  all.  that  we  may  be  anxious  to  uphold  and  cherish  the 
liberties  which  cost  so  dearh'.  Let  us  heed  their  sad  significance,  and 
strive  to  honor  our  heritage  of  blessings  In'  a  high  Christian  manliness 
and  undoubted  piet}'.  These  alone  are  our  nation's  hope  and  the  hope 
of  the  world. 

The  skill  and  excellence  of  our  brother  as  a  writer  and  literary 
critic,  deserve  special  notice.  His  emploA'cr  declares  that  his  devotion 
to  business,  his  sharp,  quick  anal3'sis  of  what  came  before  him,  and 
the  ease  with  which  he  selected  what  was  good  and  rejected  the  indif- 
ferent, fitted  him  to  take  a  high  stand  as  a  reporter  or  editor.  His 


12 


style  was  the  transcript  of  the  man,  as  is  the  fact  universaUy.  "St3'le 
is  no  mechanical  product,  that  can  be  formed  by  rules  ;  but  it  is  the 
outgrowth  and  image  of  the  mind."  We  seem  to  see  the  exercises  of 
our  departed  brother's  mind  upon  the  jjaper,  and  it  becomes  redolent 
with  his  spirit.  Choice  and  expressive  words,  an  easy  and  felicitous 
arrangement  of  them,  a  harmonious  and  rythmic  rush  of  language 
and  sentiment,  draw  one  almost  insensibly  on  to  the  end  of  his 
efforts. 

His  musical  talents  were  of  a  high  order.  A  refined  taste,  a  clear 
insight  into  the  principles  of  music,  and  a  free  and  expressive  ex- 
ecution upon  the  instrument,  gave  proof  of  power  in  this  art, 
that  might  be  cultiyated  so  as  to  insure  an  enviable  success.  In  con- 
nection with  executing  upon  the  pedals  of  the  organ,  he  felt  sad  and 
fearful  when  he  was  deprived  of  his  limb.  He  intended  to  make  music 
a  life  stud}^,  and  hence  his  disappointment  at  so  sore  a  loss.  But  he 
soon  cheered  himself  with  the  thought  that  art  would  come  to  his  aid, 
and  that  a  nerveless  limb  might  3'et  do  the  delicate  work.  His  talent 
and  love  for  music  were  innate,  and  discovered  themselves  at  a  very 
early  period.  Irresistably  and  instinctively  drawn  to  the  instrument, 
he  made  rapid  progress  in  phiying.  When  a  mere  boy  he  was  engaged 
to  play  the  organ  for  the  Society  in  Globe  Village,  in  which  place  he 
was  welcomed  to  the  social  circle  with  genuine  interest  and  cordiality. 
So  true  were  his  sentiments,  so  manly  his  bearing,  and  so  courteous 
his  demeanor,  that  he  adorned  and  honored  any  gathering.  He  was 
gifted,  sa3^s  a  disinterested  acquaintance,  in  the  ability  to  say  and  act 
those  things  which  interest  and  attract  in  the  social  gathering.  Plaving 
attended  a  musical  convention  at  Worcester,  he  wrote  out  for  the 
paper  such  valuable  and  suggestive  criticisms  upon  it,  that  the  man- 
agers sent  for  several  copies  for  their  own  satisfaction  and  benefit. 
And  in  criticisms  upon  church  music,  written  while  resident  in  New 
York,  he  shows  what  a  grasp  and  understanding  of  the  subject  he 
had. 

But  I  come  now  to  his  highest,  brightest,  best  and  most  desirable 
quality — he  was  a  true  Christian.  Without  this,  all  the  excellencies 
I  have  named  would  not  comfort,  benefit  and  bless  him  now.  He  was 
heir,  by  faith,  to  an  incorruptible  crown,  that  fadeth  not  away.  He 
had  a  building  of  God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  heavens.  He  was  vitall}^  united  to  that  Redeemer  who  has 
gone  to  prepare  mansions  for  those  Avho  love  him.  The  life  in  the  soul 
— which  was  the  basis  and  pledge  of  his  hopes,  sustained  by  celestial 


1  o 

agencies — gave  a  charm,  a  beaut}',  a  completeness  and  a  wealth  to  his 
character,  for  which  nothing  could  be  substituted.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen,  he  was  the  subject  of  that  blessed  change  which  develops  and 
blossoms  into  an  immortality  of  bliss.  lie  felt  himself  to  be  a  helpless 
sinner,  needing  and  perishing  without  a  personal  interest  in  Clmst. 
He  soon  found  peace  to  his  soul,  and  united  himself  with  the  church. 
His  example  and  walk  were  salutary  and  circumspect.  He  loved  the 
pra^^er  meeting,  and  often  took  part  in  its  exercises.  His  exhortations 
were  urgent,  edifying  and  good.  He  said  what  tended  to  give  the 
meeting  life  and  interest.  The  brethren  and  sisters  in  the  church 
remember  him  with  fraternal  respect,  and  mourn  his  death  with  un- 
affected sorrow.  And  they  gather  here  to-day  to  express  their  pro- 
found regret  that  so  useful  and  promising  a  life  is  cut  off,  and 
that  they  shall  see  his  face  no  more  on  earth.  After  his  removal 
to  New  York,  he  won  the  affection  of  Christian  brethren  by  his 
consistenc}^,  piety  and  fidelitj^  Sweet  are  the  words  which  have  been 
uttered  by  those  associated  with  him  in  the  church  there. 

Since  being  in  the  army — that  crucible  of  temptation — nothing  has 
transpired  to  mar  the  beauty  of  his  religious  character.  A  chaplain, 
who  saw  him  occasionally,  after  inquiring  tenderly  for  him  and  his 
condition,  said  that  he  manifested  a  sweet  and  beautiful  spirit ;  that 
he  gave  evidence  of  a  most  genuine  and  thorough  Christian  experience. 
He  desired  to  recover  and  enter  the  army  again  ;  but  was  submissive 
and  patient,  saying  that  he  did  not  feel  afraid  to  die.  A  beloved 
brother  who  watched  over  him  writes  to  friends  :  "  He  is  very  happ}', 
and  this  morning,  about  four  o'clock,  he  prayed  and  sung,  '  Jesus, 
lover  of  m}^  soul.'  So  sweet  and  tender  and  tremulous  was  his  voice, 
that  my  eyes  filled  with  tears."  Another  brother  writes  :  "  Thursday 
night  he  made  a  prayer.  Among  mau}^  other  things,  he  asked  that  he 
might  be  restored  to  health,  so  that  he  might  return  to  the  field  and 
help  fight  the  battles  of  his  country.  His  words  were  :  '  I  have  lost  a 
limb,  but  I  am  willing  to  lose  it  for  my  countr}- .  O  m}'  countrj^,  my 
country  !  Lord  save  her  !  O  save  her.  Lord  !  May  she  be  great  and 
glorious  !  may  she  be  restored  to  peace,  and  the  banners  of  right- 
eousness be  spread  throughout  the  land  !  I  love  my  country  !  I  love 
my  country  ! '  He  also  said  :  '  I  have  suffered  much,  and  suppose  I 
must  suffer  more.  I  am  willing  ;  I  am  willing.  If  it  be  Thy  will  to 
take  me  aAvay,  Thy  will  be  done.'  He  would  sing,  '  Rock  of  ages  cleft 
for  me,  let  me  hide  myself  in  thee  ;'  and,  '  Jesus,  lover  of  my  soul,* 
saying  that  these  sacred  lyrics  kept  his  spirits  up."  He  gradually 
grew  weaker,  until  death  closed  the  sad  and  impressive  scene. 


14 


Thus  has  passed  away  a  beloved  Christian  brother,  a  heroic  patriot, 
a  worthy  and  yaluable  man.  Our  loss  is  his  eternal  gain.  His  life, 
words,  deeds,  convictions,  sacrifices  and  sufferings,  are  the  best  eulogy 
that  can  be  given.  To  these  mourning  friends — a  widowed  wife, 
bereaved  parents,  sorrowing  brothers  and  sisters — we  tender  our 
heartiest  S3^mpath3^  Your  grief  is  both  relieved  and  intensified  by  the 
worth  of  him  who  is  gone.  When  in  the  sweetest  converse  and  en- 
jo3anent  with  earthly  friends,  the  thought  will  intrude  that  the  heart 
may  be  stung  with  the  agony  of  separation.  Seek  not  at  once  to  check 
the  fountain  of  your  grief,  but  pray  for  a  hallowed  resignation  to  the 
will  of  Him  who  doeth  all  things  well.  Your  sorrow  is  the  measure 
of  your  love.  It  is  sacred  to  the  memor}^  of  the  loved  and  lost.  You 
who  mourn  a  kind  and  tender  husband,  are  exercised  with  a  sadness 
too  deep,  too  precious,  too  sacred  to  be  the  object  of  public  gaze. 
As  the  years  of  j^our  life  shall  roll  around,  and  you  reflect 
upon  the  melancholy  significance  of  the  fact  that  the  burial  of  your 
beloved  husband  occurred  on  3'our  birthday,  may  you  be  enabled  to 
understand  more  and  more  the  profound  mystery  and  meaning  of  life. 
May  a  vital  union  with  Him  who  can  fill  the  void  He  himself  in  wisdom 
has  made,  make  even  this  severe  trial  a  good  yon  can  ever  revert  to 
with  a  chastened  jo}'.  The  stricken  parents  may  seek  to  have  their 
wounded  hearts  healed  b}^  reflecting  upon  the  goodness  which  gave 
them  such  an  oflTering  to  place  upon  the  altar  of  God  and  humanity. 
And  we  hope,  in  a  restored,  elevated  and  redeemed  country,  they  may 
ever  experience  a  reward  for  their  opulent  gift  for  its  perpetuity  and 
life.  These  brothers  and  sisters  will  not  fail  to  remember  the  heroic 
soldier  and  Christian,  who,  in  the  morning  of  his  manhood,  was 
transferred  to  the  celestial  city.  Cherish  his  honored  and  beloved 
memory.    Yes,  you  will  say. 

The  idea  of  thy  life  shall  sweetly  creep 

Into  my  study  of  imagination ; 

And  every  lovely  organ  of  thy  life 

Shall  come  appareled  in  more  precious  habit, 

More  moving,  delicate,  and  full  of  life 

Into  the  eye  and  prospect  of  my  soul. 

Than  when  thou  livedst  indeed." 

And  now,  what  lessons  do  this  occasion,  and  this  Providence,  and 
this  life,  preach  to  us  all  ?  Shall  these  costly  sacrifices  be  lost  ?  Shall 
the  work  begun,  and  progressing  so  grandl}',  be  checked  and  stopped 


15 


for  want  of  [)atriotic  devotion  to  '  our  liberties  ?  Shall  the  blessed 
principles  and  truths,  which  are  our  onl}^  hope,  be  disregarded?  Shall 
we  make  the  sacrifice  of  these  noble  lives  of  no  avail,  and  of  no  worth  ? 
"We  must  earnestl}^  seek  to  dignify  and  transmit,  unimpaired,  the  bles- 
ings  which  such  sufferings  defend  and  purchase.  And  in  this  solemn 
event,  God  summons  every  one  in  this  assembly  to  a  prompt  and 
hearty  submission  to  His  will,  to  a  manly  and  earnest  Christian  life.  It 
is  such  a  reasonable  and  righteous  demand,  that  its  neglect  is  hazardous, 
*'And  I  know  that  His  commandment  is  life  everlasting."  Ma}^  the 
early  departure  of  this  Christian  patriot  disturb  our  drowsiness,  and 
urge  us  to  holy  and  heroic  achievement.  May  it  arrest  our  at- 
tention, awaken  our  thoughts,  soften  and  subdue  our  hearts,  so  that 
the  Divine  Spirit  shall  be  welcome  there,  to  convict,  convert,  sanctify 
and  save.  Then,  in  a  new  and  lofty  sense,  will  our  brother's  death  be 
to  us  a  sacred  inheritance. 


